Note: This project is completed 

Workplace Language Assessment (WLA) for CLB 7 – 10

Project Description

The Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB) is developing a Workplace Language Assessment (WLA) with funding from the Governments of Ontario and Alberta and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The WLA is a communications assessment tool to assess higher-level language proficiencies (CLB 7-10) of clients seeking entry into workplace-related training opportunities such as bridge to employment programs. It will be available for use with clients who have post-secondary education and some work experience. The tool will assess clients in approximately 90 minutes and provide CLB scores for each language skill.

The WLA provides a comprehensive assessment kit. Three sub-tests identify language proficiencies in all four skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing, in terms of CLB levels 7 – 10. Trained and certified CLB assessors will identify eligible candidates for appropriate training. In programs where higher-level CLB are required for employment-related language training, the assessment tool will provide the information for trainers to develop materials at levels appropriate to the clients.

National pilots took place in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto in the summer of 2005. These activities ensured that the new test provides reliable CLB scores in a time and cost-efficient manner prior to national implementation. A second parallel version of WLA has been developed and piloted among clients of Enhanced Language Training programs in Ontario and Manitoba.

One of the features of the WLA kit is a screening tool to help employment counselors or WLA assessors identify clients in the CLB 7-10 range before referring them for a full assessment. It is expected that this will help clients and assessors achieve more positive results from the tool. The new placement tool will meet the needs of a range of workforce-related programs.

The screening tool was recently piloted, with funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, by Toronto area employment counselors and in five LINC Assessment Centers in Toronto and Ottawa.

The WLA package will be available for eligible organizations this Fall 2006.

This project addresses the need for reliable, streamlined, low cost assessments of clients seeking entry into workplace-related training programs offered at higher CLB levels.

For further information contact info@language.ca.

Funding provided by the provincial Governments of Ontario and Alberta and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.